The Myths of Anglo-Saxon Identity: England's Genetic and Historical Evolution

In the modern context, the terms "Saxon" and "Angle" are often used to describe different groups within the early Anglo-Saxon settlement period. However, these labels are misleading when applied to contemporary English populations. This article explores the historical and genetic context, debunking the myth of distinct Anglo-Saxon and Saxon identities.

Genetic and Historical Context

The modern English population is so far removed from the Viking and Anglo-Saxon invasions that identifying individuals purely through their family lineage is largely impossible. England has experienced numerous influxes from the continent and beyond throughout its history, from the Romans, to the Celts, and through various waves of Germanic tribes, including the Angles and Saxons. The current genetic makeup of English people reflects this complex history of immigration and admixture.

Genetic studies have shown that the English population is a result of a mixture of various ethnic groups, making it difficult to attribute modern English identity to any one historical period or group. The observation that the English are a "bastard breed" highlights the complex and intertwined nature of their heritage.

Historical Evidence and Misconceptions

The claim that the terms "Angle," "Saxon," and even "Anglo-Saxon" are correct refers to individuals born within the last millennium is a significant oversimplification. By the time national identities began to form in the High Medieval period, the political conditions that might have supported a distinct "Saxon" or "Angle" identity had already disappeared.

Historical records, such as the Laws of Ine, indicate that the West Saxons referred to themselves as English as early as the 7th century. "Saxon" was used as a generic term for any of the Angle nations, particularly when discussing them with their Celtic neighbors. This suggests that the terms were not used in a strict, ethnic sense but were more encompassing and fluid.

By the High Medieval period, the kingdoms like Wessex did not exist in the same form, and political units were severely fragmented. The regions that once identified as "English" were subject to political changes and conquests. For example, areas that were once culturally and politically defined as "English" in the north became part of Scotland, further diluting the concept of a distinct Anglo-Saxon identity.

Conquered Peoples and Identity

The concept of national identity in the Middle Ages was not as rigid as it is today. When a population is conquered, the conquerors typically do not outnumber the conquered. Instead, the local population retains more of the ruling power, albeit with fewer numbers. This was the case in England, where Celtic and other indigenous groups maintained a significant portion of their identity and cultural practices even after the arrival of the Angles and Saxons.

In the same way, France experienced a complex interplay of Roman and Germanic invasions, particularly the Franks, yet remained fundamentally Celtic in nature. The identity of a population is often a result of the intermixing of cultures, resulting in a more complex and diverse reality than a simple binary of conqueror and conquered.

Conclusion

It is inaccurate and anachronistic to apply the terms "Saxon" and "Angle" to contemporary English individuals. The modern English population is a result of centuries of genetic admixture from various groups, including the Romans, Celts, Angles, Saxons, and others. The concept of a distinct Anglo-Saxon identity only holds historical context and should not be used to oversimplify the complex and diverse heritage of modern England.